Method of making mosaics



' April 17, 1928.

s. H. BOYNTON METHOD OF MAKING MOSAICS Filed July 1 6, 1927 I N V EN TOR. Sidney /1o///3 Boyn/Zm BY M A TTORNEYJ Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STA ES -SIDNEY HOLLIS BOYNTON, OF 1308 A NGELES, CALIFORNIA.

METHOD or MAKING MOSAICS.

Application filed July 16,

This invention relates to mosaic facing for slabs and the like, and to the construction thereof. Such structures are formed to simand much time.

nlate inlaid work. A production of elaborate and delicate patterns of inlaid mosaic is expensive, laborious and requires great skill The separate inlays must be shaped, and, in many cases what should be an integral inlay, is formed of several pieces, thereby making the finished work imperfect. The present invention has for its primary object, the provision of a method, whereby a cementitious material in its plastic state may be expeditiously and without the requirements of skill arranged in a desired pattern especially as to the contour of the inlay designs and their character, the material forming a layer which may be applied to a backing or foundation; and the whole may then be allowed to set and-harden producing a mosaic in its initial form which may be finished by pointing the joints and polished or otherwise treated as desired. To this end, a matrix is provided within which the inlays of cementitious material are arranged and thenthe foundation applied, the material then being allowed to set and harden, and the matrix 'finally removed so as to produce the mosaic in its initial condition.

These objects together with other objects and corresponding accomplishments may be attained by use of the materials and instrumentalities shown in the accompanying drawing, of which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mosaic in its initial condition and before removal of the matrix, portions of the structure being broken away to better show the relation of parts; Fig. 2 is a section as seen upon the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a fragment of the structure after hardening of the mosaic and with the matrix partially removed; and Fig. 4 is a section upon the line 4-&, but with the pointing material in the joints.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, and especially to Figs. 1' and 2, attention is called to the position of the several elements. The mosaic is made in inverted position, the facing being on the lower side. A matrix 5 of flexible material is provided. This matrix is in the nature of a mold. There are outstanding ridges 6 forming the boundaries for the several inlays. The design may be as elaborate or as delicate as desired. The matrix is preferably made of 1927. Serial No. 206,251.

rubber or elastic material, and the manner of making the same is not pertinent to the present invention, and therefore, will not be described. In the present structure a simple design has been shown, as the method only is being described and not the possibilities of the final structure. The matrix is laid upon its back, and the inlay cavities filled with ceinentitious material of .the color and character desired. Thus, a cavity may be filled with marble cementitious material 7 of one color, another cavity of differing material 8 and still another of material 9. This may be varied to suit the artistic result desired. The material is filled in the cavities so .that it is substantially flush with the outer edges of the ridges, as best shown in Fig. 2. The cementitious material used may be a mixture of marble dust and magnesite. However, the particular character of the cementitious material used is not pertinent in the present invention. Over the surface of the inlaid mosaic material is placed a backing or foundation 10 of like cementitious material, which will bond with the'inlay material. The backing may be of the same material. It is also obvious that a frame of bars might be arranged around the matrix, rising fiush with the ridges to act as a peripheral boundary. This however, is not shown, but will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The unit is now allowed to set and harden. After having hardened, the unit and matrix is inverted as shown in Fig. 3. The matrix is now peeled from the mosaic. Due to the flexibility of the matrix, it'ie easily removed. Furthermore, if rubber is used, the elasticity will permit the ridges to be drawn from the joints between the mosaic inlays. This may all be done quickly, without requiring force and without disturbing or marring the mosaic. The mosaic in its initial condition is then treated by filling the joints with cementitious material, 11 as shown in Fig. 4. This is easily done by wiping or trowelling the material over the face of the mosaic. The pointing thus produced is allowed to set. If it is desired to further treat the surface of the mosaic, this may be done. The final unit is a mosaic simulating inlaid work, but much more durable and less expensive.

What I claim is:

1. The method of making mosaic comprising filling a rubber matrix having a mosaic design with cementitious inlay material to provide inlays separated by joints, placing a cementitious foundation material against said inlay material so as to bond therewith, causing said cementitious materials to hard en, removing said matrix, and filling the joints With pointing material.

2. The method of making-mosaic comprising filling a rubber matrix having a mosaic design with cementitious inlay material to provide inlays separated by joints, causing said cementitious material to harden, removing said matrix, and filling the joints.

3. The method of making mosaic compris- SIDNEY HOLLIS BOYNTON. 

